Purifying and Testing Gecko Skin Compounds, a Promising Attractant for Small Brown Treesnakes
Abstract
The goal of this study was to identify one or a few chemical compounds that attract small (less than 700 mm snout-vent length) Brown Treesnakes (Boiga irregularis). Criteria for success include attraction of small snakes to the extract and qualitative characterization of the substances. These small snakes have proven very difficult to control with the methods used in operational, large-scale snake control on Guam, and logistics (and/or cost-effectiveness) prevent their favored gecko prey from being used for snake control on a large scale. If we could find a chemical compound (or possibly a cocktail of a few chemicals) that attracts small snakes and is either commercially available or can be synthesized in a cost-effective manner, the opportunities to control small Brown Treesnakes would increase dramatically. We therefore aimed at extracting gecko skin compounds and presenting them to small Brown Treesnakes in laboratory bioassays, using the crude extract as well as fractions from successive purification steps. We planned to investigate the number of, the relative quantities of, and the qualities of chemical compounds present in any bioactive fraction(s).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 13, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA578902
Entities
People
- Bjorn Lardner
- Julie A. Savidge
- Peter J. Schupp
Organizations
- Colorado State University